Broward County Cultural Division is proud to announce the inaugural publication of its Arts Education E-Newsletter, a bi-monthly publication that will feature detailed, technical and industry-specific information about the state of arts education in Broward County, its progress, its challenges, its supporters and the many, many people that benefit through this program.

Arts Education Committee

This advisory committee of the Broward Cultural Council identifies community needs related to arts education. There are representatives from the School Board of Broward County, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Children's Services Council of Broward County, Florida, Nova Southeastern University, educators, arts and cultural professionals and organizations.

In June, Broward Cultural Division launched the online Arts Education Directory - a listing of high-quality, arts programs. One of the many free services offered by Broward County, the Arts Education Directory presents interactive learning-experiences for youth, teens, adults, seniors and special needs individuals. These learning experiences include teaching, professional development, performances, workshops and exhibitions that may be offered to schools or community organizations. Members of the Directory working with youth in grades K-12, are also required to integrate Florida's academic standards into any services they offer targeting this group.

Enhancing arts education in schools and communities has been a priority of the Division for more than 26 years. The Arts Education Section works within the vision of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners:

A Community with Accessible, Vibrant Arts and Culture,Recreation and Learning Opportunities.

To acheive this goal, strong local and national partnerships are developed to advance programs and services; professional development opportunities are provided for school and community-based arts educators; job opportunities are created for professional teaching artists; a cultural grant program is available for community-based arts education projects and artist residencies in schools; and technical assistance and resources about arts education at the local, state and national levels is made available through workshops and the Division website.

None of this would be possible without the dedication and commitment of the volunteers serving on the Arts Education Committee.

Networking with theArts Education Committee Profile Amy Ostrau

Arts Education Committee Chair Amy Ostrau has been a local arts leader since 1982 and served as the first Arts Education Committee Chair and helped to establish both the Arts Education Directory and Arts Teacher of the Year Program. She was born in New York and has lived in Plantation, Florida for the last 41 years. She is presently a realtor with Prudential Florida WCI Realty and has been for 32 years. She has also done volunteer work as an art teacher at Seminole Middle School in painting. She was a student of Carnegie Mellon University, School of Painting and Design in Pittsburgh, when she met her husband, Norman Ostrau.

Ostrau has served on the boards of Young At Art Children's Museum, Performing Arts Center Authority, Broward Cultural Affairs Council (1982-1984), John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, and Plantation General Hospital Board of Trustees. She is a member of the Fort Lauderdale Board of Realtors, and The Realtor Association of Miami-Dade County.

"I love being a part of the Arts Education Committee, I have been so for more than 10 years. I truly believe that having children exposed to the arts at an early age, helps them to learn in the broader spectrum of subjects, and helps them in processing decisions in life."

-- Amy Ostrau

Deb BrzoskaTeaching ArtistThe Kennedy Center

Kennedy Center Partners in Education

"I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we too, will be remembered not for our victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit."

-- President John F. Kennedy

Planning Artist Residencies for Schools and Communities, an arts integration workshop led by Deb Brzoska, will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2012. Deb Brzoska, a former dancer and choreographer, is a recognized leader in arts education who works with teachers and artists across the country in arts curriculum, assessment, research and professional development. Currently, she is guiding action research efforts for The Kennedy Center as well as three federally-funded arts research and dissemination projects, including innovative programs in Hawaii. Ms. Brzoska is the founding principal of an award-winning arts-based public school in Vancouver, Washington and works nationally to help others develop exciting arts-based schools and sound arts instructional practice.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts continues its efforts to fulfill President Kennedy's vision by producing and presenting an unmatched variety of theater and musicals, dance and ballet, orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, world, and folk music, and multimedia performances for all ages. Every year the institution that bears President Kennedy's name brings his dream to fruition, touching the lives of millions of people through thousands of performances by the greatest artists from across America and around the world. The Center also nurtures new works and young artists, creating performances, broadcasts, and touring productions while serving the nation as a leader in arts education.

The Kennedy Center is America's living memorial to President Kennedy and Broward County is proud to be part of several partnerships, that bring excellence in arts education and support the dream. Partnership events include:

Excellence in Arts Education2011 Broward County Arts Teacher of the Year

Julia Perlowski, director of theatre programs, and instructor of English and reading at Pompano Beach High School, is the 26th annual Broward County Arts Teacher of the Year. Ms. Perlowski will be honored on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, 6:00 p.m., at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

The Broward County Arts Teacher of the Year Program was created by the Broward County Cultural Division in 1985 to annually recognize the importance of arts education in Broward County schools. Teachers, whose primary assignment is in an arts discipline, including dance, drama, music, visual arts and media arts, are eligible to apply or be nominated. The selection panel is composed of members of the Broward Cultural Council’s Arts Education Committee. Nominees submit an application, audio/visual exhibits, and are observed in the classroom by members of the selection panel. In addition to recognition at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the winner receives a cash stipend, a scholarship to Nova Southeastern University, a Tiffany crystal apple, an inscribed brick on Riverwalk, and an assortment of gifts from cultural organizations and businesses.

PleaseRSVP HERE for the 2011 Broward County Arts Teacher of the Year recognition event.

Photo on left - students from Broadview Elementary; photo on right (L to R) Andrea Ellison, Locomotion Theatre, Letty Skaar, BankAtlantic, and Mark Cherny, Locomotion Theatre

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Arts Education DirectorySpotlight

Locomotion Theatre participated in the BankAtlantic Summer SmARTS Program and presented shows at nine different camps in Broward County. They are our Directory spotlight for August!

Locomotion Theater is one of South Florida's longest established educational entertainment companies. Since 1987, they have been presenting wonderful audience participation shows and workshops at theaters, schools, camps, after-school enrichment programs, libraries, special events, and fairs & festivals locally and across the country.